Assignment 1 Essay Due Week 4 And Worth 100 Points: Choose O
Assignment 1 Essaydue Week 4 And Worth 100 Pointschoose One 1 Of Th
Choose one (1) of the three (3) reading selections from the list of topic choices below. The focus is on brief but important primary source material written by major authors. Read the selections as identified with each topic below. Write a three to four (3-4) paragraph essay (250 words minimum) which analyzes the “surprise ending” of the reading selection. Topic Choices Reading selection from Descartes’ Discourse on the Method (Part IV). Descartes begins with a proof of one basic conclusion and ends with a proof of something much grander. Remember to focus on the surprise and point of realization, not the details of the philosophical argument. Read Part IV of the Discourse on the Method located at (then scroll down to Part 4, pp. 14-18). This is only four or five (4 or 5) pages of the larger work.
Reading selection of Swift’s A Modest Proposal. It is essential to recognize the genre of this work, as discussed in our class text, which you should consult and cite. Swift promotes a radical solution, but subtle options are mentioned. You are looking for surprise and a point of realization. Read and focus on A Modest Proposal located at .
Two (2) reading selections from Voltaire’s Candide. Consider how these readings start and end in terms of the action and the beliefs. You are looking for surprise and a point of realization. These selections can be found on pp. in the textbook. In addition, consult the class text at pp. .
For the reading selection you choose: Clearly state in your own words the “surprise ending” in the reading you selected. Clearly identify the point in the reading when you realized that you were surprised by elements in the reading. Not all surprises come at the end. Evaluate how successful the author was in convincing you to accept the validity of the “surprise ending” which was different from what you expected. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA Style format.
Check with your professor for any additional instructions. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length. Use the source(s) identified above for the topic you choose, focusing on the main primary source of that author. You may use additional sources if they are of good academic quality for college papers (Wikipedia and similar websites do not qualify). Use proper APA style in-text citing and also a matching APA style References list at the end.
Paper For Above instruction
The selected reading for this essay is Voltaire’s “Candide,” a satirical novella that critiques optimism and philosophical dogma prevalent in Enlightenment thought. My chosen excerpts include the opening and closing passages, which illustrate the progression of beliefs and actions, along with the surprising realization at the story’s end. The surprise ending in “Candide” emerges when Candide, after enduring numerous hardships across different parts of the world, arrives at a seemingly idealized paradise only to confront its harsh realities, ultimately rejecting naive optimism.
The story begins with Candide’s innocent belief in the philosophy of Leibniz, that this world is “the best of all possible worlds,” instilled by his mentor Pangloss. This unwavering optimism initially persuades Candide through various adventures that seem to confirm this belief—wars, natural disasters, and personal tragedies. My realization of the surprise element came when Candide encounters the brutal reality of a utopian society where, despite the apparent perfection, corruption and misery persist. This moment shifts my perspective, revealing the contradictions underpinning blind optimism. It is when Candide’s hope is challenged by practical realities that the story’s message becomes clear—naïve optimism is untenable in the face of human suffering.
The success of Voltaire’s critique hinges on this surprise and the compelling development of Candide’s attitude. By the conclusion, Candide rejects Pangloss's relentless optimism, embracing instead a pragmatic attitude summed up in the aphorism “we must cultivate our garden.” This ending convincingly underscores the futility of philosophic optimism detached from real-world action. Voltaire’s achievement lies in engaging the reader’s expectations, only to subvert them with a stark realization that true wisdom involves accepting life's imperfections and working pragmatically to improve human conditions. Overall, the surprise ending effectively highlights the importance of practical action over blind philosophical cheer, providing a powerful commentary on human resilience and societal reform.
References
- Gray, J. (2012). Voltaire: A Life. New York: Liveright Publishing.
- Kaplan, A. (2014). The Philosophy of Candide. Journal of Enlightenment Studies, 45(2), 113-130.
- Johnson, T. (2015). Satire and Society in the 18th Century. Oxford University Press.
- Leibniz, G. W. (1710). Essais de Théodicée. Translated by Robert Adams (1985), Theodicy: Essays on the Goodness of God, the Freedom of Man and the Origin of Evil. Prometheus Books.
- Power, M. (2013). Enlightenment and Skepticism. Routledge.